30. And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
31. And he sent messengers to Abimelech privately, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed, and his brethren, are come to Shechem; and behold, they fortify the city against thee.
32. Now therefore rise by night, thou, and the people that are with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
33. And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun hath risen, thou shalt rise early, and attack the city: and behold, when he and the people that are with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.
34. And Abimelech rose, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
35. And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
36. And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said to him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
37. And Gaal spoke again, and said, See, there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
38. Then said Zebul to him, Where is now thy mouth, with which thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? are not these the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.